Summer Stories: Bilingual Voices Podcast Amplifies Students Experiences
A new podcast at St. John Fisher University, “Bilingual Voices,” showcases the collaborative work of students and faculty exploring bilingualism and cultural identity.
Marina Bonilla Conejo, assistant professor of Spanish, created the podcast to give Fisher students a platform to share their experiences navigating multiple languages in their daily lives and on campus.
“I wanted to provide a space for bilingual students to share what it means to be bilingual in Rochester,” she said. “Podcasts allow students to express themselves in both languages and engage in authentic conversations that written assignments can’t capture.”
Student Leadership Drives Production
Dominique Lawrence ’26, a television and film and Spanish double major from Rochester, has been instrumental in shaping and producing the podcast. Through participation in the University’s Summer Fellows Research Program, Lawrence managed all technical aspects of production, including recording and editing. “I set up the audio, edited the recording, and ensured the episodes flowed smoothly,” she said. “Hearing my peers’ stories about language and identity was incredibly rewarding.”
Bonilla Conejo praised Lawrence’s contributions, noting, “We could not have had this podcast without Dominique. She guided students through the recording process and handled every technical detail. Her work made the project possible.”
Fostering Skills and Personal Growth
The podcast provided students with opportunities to develop technical, creative, and interpersonal skills. Lawrence gained experience in podcast production and storytelling, while learning to approach language and culture with an open mind. “It deepened my interest in amplifying voices and telling stories that educate and connect people,” she said.
Impact on the Fisher Community
“Bilingual Voices” aims to foster understanding and awareness across the Fisher community. Lawrence explained, “Even if you don’t speak another language, listening to the podcast helps you understand different identities and experiences.” The project also supports departmental goals by showcasing students’ talent and encouraging enrollment in the Modern Languages and Cultures programs.
Looking Ahead
Season two of the podcast will expand to include more students from the Hispanic Film and Literature courses and community contributors. Future plans include local interviews, related articles, and presentations at academic conferences. “Bilingual Voices” will also soon be available on Spotify, bringing the project to a wider audience beyond campus.
Bonilla Conejo noted, “I’m excited to continue listening to students’ experiences and to share their voices with a broader audience.”
Authentic Student Voices
Both Lawrence and Bonilla Conejo emphasized the genuine engagement of participants. “Students really enjoyed the conversations, and the discussions felt authentic,” Bonilla Conejo said. Lawrence recalled the lighter moments with a laugh: “Some recordings were hilarious–I’d go back and laugh while editing, even at the things we had to cut out.”
Through the vision of Bonilla Conejo and the dedication of Lawrence, “Bilingual Voices” at Fisher continues to be a platform that celebrates culture, language, and identity, enriching the University’s community and providing students with valuable skills for the future.
Throughout the summer months, Fisher students stayed busy conducting research, traveling abroad, engaging in internships, and more. Over the next few weeks, check out the Summer Stories series and learn more about how members of the Fisher community spent their summer.
This article was written by Ranya Alsalahi, a senior film and television studies major. Alsalahi is an intern in the Office of Marketing and Communications at Fisher for the Fall 2025 semester.